The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and warn, 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with the one I created alone 11 And give him vast riches, 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made things easy for them. 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 May he be accursed, how he planned! 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he looked round; 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 it scorches (even) the skin. 29 Over it are Nineteen. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31